Deck 2: Sociological Research

Question 1

What are scientists trying to achieve when they try to ensure that their biases and values do NOT affect their research?

A)reliability
B)objectivity
C)verifiability
D)ethical conduct

Answer 1

B

Question 2

How do scientific explanations differ from the other ways of knowing?

A)Science uses a normative approach.
B)Scientific knowledge is systematic,public,and uses an empirical approach.
C)Knowledge derived from scientific inquiry cannot be refuted.
D)Science is subjective.

Answer 2

B

Question 3

What research model has scientific objectivity as a goal and focuses on data that can be measured numerically?

A)quantitative
B)qualitative
C)inductive
D)deductive

Answer 3

A

Question 4

How does the text refer to the relationship between theory and research?

A)as a deductive process
B)as a love-hate relationship
C)as a dyadic process
D)as a continuous cycle

Question 5

Which way of knowing the world is based on strong beliefs about what is right and wrong and what is desirable in a society?

A)sociological
B)theological
C)empirical
D)normative

Question 6

Suppose someone says that tall men are more assertive than short men.Which term best describes this statement?

A)theory
B)hypothesis
C)variable
D)operational definition

Question 7

Which type of study attempts to determine why certain events do or do NOT occur?

A)explanatory
B)informational
C)normative
D)descriptive

Question 8

In what approach does the researcher collect information or data and then generate theories from the analysis of that data?

A)explanatory
B)deductive
C)normative
D)inductive

Question 9

Which of the following reflects the traditional way of knowing the world?

A)discovering for ourselves many of the things we know
B)relying on experts to tell us something is true
C)believing something is true and right because it has always been done that way
D)relying on religious scriptures to determine what is true

Question 10

What do sociologists try to understand?

A)innate behaviour
B)psychological behaviour
C)social behaviour
D)human behaviour as it mirrors that of animals

Question 11

Which way of knowing the world uses religion,tradition,or authority to answer important questions?

A)empirical
B)normative
C)relational
D)commonsense

Question 12

Age,sex,race,and ethnicity are often used as which type of variables in sociological research?

A)dependent
B)outcome
C)correlational
D)independent

Question 13

What is the main reason that sociologists review previous research?

A)to determine if they will be able to get their own research published in a scholarly journal
B)to help refine the problem and determine where gaps or limitations exist
C)to criticize the work of other sociologists
D)to decide on one or more of the research methods available for the research design

Question 14

Discovering for ourselves many of the things we know reflects which way of knowing the world?

A)personal experience
B)tradition
C)religion
D)science

Question 15

As parental income increases,so does the likelihood that a child will attend a postsecondary institution.Which term best describes "parental income" in that statement?

A)a variable
B)a hypothesis
C)a theory
D)an operational definition

Question 16

In what approach does the researcher begin with a theory and then use research to test the theory?

A)explanatory
B)deductive
C)normative
D)inductive

Question 17

Which approach best suits the following sequence of events: specific observations suggest generalizations;generalizations produce a tentative theory;the theory is tested through the formation of hypotheses;and hypotheses may provide suggestions for additional observations?

A)explanatory
B)deductive
C)normative
D)inductive

Question 18

Why is sociological research necessary?

A)It allows us to confirm commonsense beliefs.
B)It allows us to arrive at a more informed understanding of "hows" and "whys" of human social interaction helps us more beyond guesswork and common sense.
C)It provides validation for personal experience.
D)It provides a more informed description of the "what" of human social interaction and an authoritative understanding.

Question 19

A young boy wonders if men or women are more likely to wear sandals with socks.He decides to watch everyone who is wearing sandals and record whether or not they are wearing socks and their gender.Which way of knowing the world is the boy engaged in?

A)empirical
B)normative
C)relational
D)commonsense

Question 20

In the hypothesis "among university students taking an introduction to sociology course,older students tend to score higher on multiple choice tests than younger students," what term would we use to refer to "score higher on multiple choice tests"?

A)independent variable
B)dependent variable
C)operational variable
D)intervening variable

Question 21

In which of the following research methods does the researcher manipulate the independent variable?

A)survey research
B)experiments
C)observational studies
D)secondary data analysis

Question 22

Suppose a researcher is analyzing meanings or social relationships by interpreting the narratives of school children's journals.Which type of research models would be employed?

A)qualitative research models
B)observational research models
C)quantitative research models
D)systemic research models

Question 23

What do sociologists call an explanation of an abstract concept in terms of observable features that are specific enough to allow measurement of the variable?

A)hypothesis
B)theory
C)operational definition
D)premise

Question 24

What was the main independent variable in Latané and Darley's experiment on helping in emergency situations?

A)the time that elapsed from the start of the victim's seizure until the participant left the room to get help
B)the participant's level of altruism
C)the number of other people the participant believed had also heard the victim's distress
D)the amount of medical training the participants had before joining the experiment

Question 25

Which term would sociologists use to refer to the process through which data are organized so that comparisons can be made and conclusions drawn?

A)theory building
B)hypothesis construction
C)analysis
D)methodology

Question 26

In studies that look at why men have more experiences with organized sport than women,what type of variable describes the degree of involvement with organized sport?

A)dependent variable
B)independent variable
C)correlational variable
D)predictor variable

Question 27

As part of a study,Sarah is attempting to click a button every time she sees the colour red flash across a computer screen.Because she is being watched carefully by the researcher,she is nervous and misses some of the cues.Which characteristic is Sarah demonstrating when she does this?

A)variability
B)spontaneity
C)reactivity
D)reflection

Question 28

Which of the following terms refers to the extent to which a study or research instrument accurately measures what it is supposed to measure?

A)validity
B)reliability
C)predictability
D)variability

Question 29

Which group contains the subjects who are NOT exposed to a pornographic film in your study of the effect of such films on men's attitudes toward women?

A)the control group
B)the research group
C)the master group
D)the experimental group

Question 30

Suppose you are studying the effect of pornographic films on men's attitudes toward women.Which group contains the subjects who are exposed to a pornographic film?

A)the control group
B)the research group
C)the master group
D)the experimental group

Question 31

According to the text,which of the following is the greatest limitation of laboratory research?

A)Laboratory experiments cannot be replicated.
B)Laboratory research typically produces quantitative data.
C)Laboratory experiments are artificial.
D)Laboratory experiments are expensive.

Question 32

Which term would sociologists use to describe repeating an investigation in substantially the same way that it was originally conducted?

A)replication
B)subsequent re-examination
C)generalization
D)reliability

Question 33

What was the main dependent variable in Latané and Darley's experiment on helping in emergency situations?

A)the participant's level of altruism
B)the participant's medical background
C)the group size
D)the time that elapsed until the participant left to get help

Question 34

Suppose that a person receives the same score when he or she takes an IQ test more than once.Which of the following would best apply to this test?

A)validity
B)predictability
C)reliability
D)dependability

Question 35

Suppose a researcher carefully designs a situation that tests the impact of previous experiences of being a victim of auto theft on reactions to video depictions of youth stealing cars.Which of the following methods would he or she be using?

A)participant observations
B)surveys
C)experiments
D)qualitative procedures

Question 36

Which of the following terms refers to the extent to which a study or research instrument yields consistent results?

A)validity
B)reliability
C)predictability
D)variability

Question 37

Jaime wants to set up her research in such a way that she can control as many outside factors as possible.Which type of research is Jamie most likely to conduct?

A)a field study
B)a longitudinal study
C)a quantitative analysis
D)a laboratory experiment

Question 38

In studies that analyze the relationship between religious beliefs and suicide,a recurring issue is whether church membership provides an accurate indicator of a person's religious beliefs.Which of the following terms does this concern relate most directly to?

A)variability
B)predictability
C)reliability
D)operational definition

Question 39

Which of the following conditions would a study that has validity satisfy?

A)It would accurately measure what it is supposed to measure.
B)It would provide ethical standards for researchers to follow.
C)It would provide predictability.
D)It would be a reliable study.

Question 40

Which type of research models would best be utilized when studying how people in a small town recover and rebuild after an earthquake has devastated most of their homes and businesses?

A)systemic research models
B)quantitative research models
C)observational research models
D)qualitative research models

Question 41

Suppose you and your classmates were asked an identical set of questions through a systematic questionnaire or interview.In what kind of research would you be participating?

A)an experiment
B)a case study
C)secondary data analysis
D)a survey

Question 42

Which of the following terms refers to a printed research instrument containing a series of items to which subjects respond?

A)pre-test
B)post-test
C)observational device
D)questionnaire

Question 43

Which type of analysis can be carried out on existing data sources,such as public records,official reports,and surveys completed by other researchers?

A)secondary analysis
B)inconspicuous analysis
C)researcher-coordinated analysis
D)unobtrusive analysis

Question 44

Suppose your instructor is evaluating your class in terms of political attitudes.One at a time,half of your class is selected to participate in the study.You are not chosen.Which term best describes the group you are in?

A)the sample
B)the pool
C)the population
D)the aggregate

Question 45

Which type of analysis would be utilized in studying how the media portrayed Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath?

A)unobtrusive analysis
B)researcher-coordinated analysis
C)secondary analysis
D)experimental analysis

Question 46

According to the text,which of the following is an advantage of interviews over other methods?

A)They are a low-cost and rapid way to collect data.
B)They are very effective when dealing with complicated issues.
C)They provide an opportunity for human communication.
D)They provide an historical perspective.

Question 47

When Marcus chooses the sample for his research,he wants to ensure that the sample is a miniature version of the Canadian population as a whole.What type of sample is Marcus using?

A)general sample
B)representative sample
C)random sample
D)stratified sample

Question 48

Suppose a study researched suicide notes to establish what types of themes occur most frequently.Which term refers to this kind of research?

A)field research
B)content analysis
C)participant observation
D)ethnography

Question 49

According to the text,what is a major weakness of survey research?

A)It usually has low response rates.
B)It can't be used to describe the characteristics of a large population.
C)It can be used only to assess the importance of a few variables.
D)It is extremely costly.

Question 50

Suppose a team of researchers conducts a study of shopping preferences by sampling a group of mall patrons in a food court.What do sociologists call the people who participated in the interview or questionnaire?

A)hypothetical subjects
B)respondents
C)interviewees
D)correspondents

Question 51

Which method of data collection listed below allows for comparisons between different groups of people?

A)field research
B)surveys
C)experiments
D)secondary analysis

Question 52

According to the text,what was the most interesting finding of Statistics Canada's study on charitable giving?

A)A core group of Canadians did most of the altruistic activities of giving and volunteering.
B)Most Canadians were heavily involved in altruistic activities of giving and volunteering.
C)Older Canadians were less likely to donate than younger people.
D)More people donated time than money.

Question 53

Which classical theorist's insights about change and social solidarity were tested by Louis Zurcher in the real-life social laboratory provided by the Kansas tornado?

A)Marx
B)Weber
C)Durkheim
D)Martineau

Question 54

In a random sample,which of the following conditions must be present?

A)The people chosen accurately reflect the larger population.
B)Systematic procedures are used to ensure that the sample has the essential characteristics of the total population from which it is drawn.
C)Every member of the entire population has the same chance of being selected.
D)The likelihood of being selected for the sample is unknown.

Question 55

Almyra has decided to buy a data set from Statistics Canada to use as the basis for her research for her Master's thesis.Which method of data collection is she using?

A)primary analysis
B)secondary analysis
C)technical analysis
D)quantitative analysis

Question 56

Which term refers to the group of people about whom sociological researchers want to be able to draw conclusions?

A)a representative sample
B)a random sample
C)a population
D)an aggregate

Question 57

Which of the following forms of survey research produces the lowest response rate?

A)questionnaires administered in face-to-face encounters
B)questionnaires administered over the telephone
C)questionnaires administered over the Internet
D)questionnaires that are mailed out

Question 58

Suppose a researcher meets with the subjects of her study and asks each a series of questions.Which data collection method is she using?

A)researcher-administered questionnaire
B)interview
C)structured survey
D)structured experiment

Question 59

Which of the following is a major disadvantage of self-administered questionnaires?

A)high cost
B)complexity
C)low response rate
D)respondent dishonesty

Question 60

Suppose a study compared rock music and rap music lyrics for themes related to romance and love.Which type of technique would this be referred to as?

A)inconspicuous
B)straightforward
C)technical
D)unobtrusive

Question 61

Which of the following terms refers to studying people where they live,work,and play?

A)participant observation
B)field research
C)case investigation
D)field experimentation

Question 62

In Canada,which organization outlines the basic standards sociologists must follow in conducting research?

A)The North American Association of Sociology and Anthropology
B)The Canadian Sociology and Anthropology Association
C)The Sociologists' Guild of North America
D)The Ethical Standards Council of Sociology

Question 63

Under what conditions is it possible to conduct observational research?

A)when respondents are informed ahead of time
B)in almost any location and at virtually any time
C)if using secondary data analysis
D)only in controlled settings

Question 64

On which of the following do most writers on feminist research issues agree?

A)Interviews are the best method.
B)There is no one method that can be termed the feminist methodology.
C)Quantitative methods cannot be used in feminist research.
D)Only females can engage in feminist research.

Question 65

Which of the following methods is most closely associated with a feminist methodology?

A)field experiments
B)in-depth interviews
C)laboratory experimentation
D)participant observation

Question 66

During his study of a low-income neighbourhood in Boston,William Whyte took note of what those around him were discussing to gain inside information.Which type of research method has this research strategy as a main characteristic?

A)complete observation
B)case studies
C)quantitative research
D)participant observation

Question 67

Which of the following occurs in an unstructured interview?

A)The interviewer has a specific set of questions that must be asked.
B)The interviewer ignores new topics raised by interviewees.
C)The interviewer avoids using previous answers to direct new questions.
D)The interviewer establishes the general direction by asking open-ended questions.

Question 68

In their investigation of students' participation in class discussion,what did sociologists David Karp and William Yoels find?

A)Most students with a grade point average of "B" and above are active participants in relevant discussions.
B)On average,a very small number of students are responsible for the majority of discussion that occurs in class on any given day.
C)Only the brightest students participate in class discussions.
D)The size of the class and the physical structure of the classroom affected classroom participation.

Question 69

According to the text,what is one problem with the use of secondary analysis?

A)The data are not readily available.
B)The data may not reflect variables of interest to the researcher.
C)The data are very expensive to obtain.
D)The chance of bias on the part of the researcher is greatly increased.

Question 70

You decide to study a new religious group that has bought the house next door by attending their meetings twice a week for a period of approximately eight to ten months.Which of the following decisions must you now make?

A)whether to use a structured interview or a self-administered questionnaire
B)whether to let people know they are being studied
C)whether to randomly assign subjects or allow self-selection into the experimental and control groups
D)what available data should be included in the secondary analysis

Question 71

Which research method is useful for describing features of a large population without having to interview everyone?

A)the natural experiment
B)self-administered questionnaire
C)content analysis
D)participant observation

Question 72

What does "maintaining confidentiality" mean?

A)The researcher is able to identify a given person's responses but promises not to do so.
B)The research cannot identify a given response with a given respondent.
C)The researcher refrains from collecting personal information about participants.
D)The researcher obtains written consent before collecting personal information.

Question 73

Laud Humphreys studied homosexual acts between strangers meeting in public restrooms.In the course of his research,which of the following can be raised as an ethical concern?

A)He did not inform his subjects that they were being studied.
B)He obtained their informed consent under duress.
C)He broke the law by wearing disguises and following people home.
D)He manipulated his research subjects.

Question 74

Which of the following terms best describes research that takes the form of an in-depth,multifaceted investigation of a single event,person,or social grouping?

A)qualitative inquiry
B)a case study
C)complete observation
D)field research

Question 75

In the text,what was Russel Ogden's master's thesis on euthanasia used to demonstrate?

A)how harm to participants must be weighed against the overall contribution of the study to the advancement of science
B)how lenient ethical principles were in relation to studies conducted in the 1970s compared to those in place today
C)how researchers sometimes violate the ethical principle of informed consent in order to carry out their research
D)how the ethical principle of confidentiality can come into conflict with the law

Question 76

Which research method listed below attempts to provide explanations that can improve the situation of participants?

A)interviews
B)secondary analysis
C)feminist research
D)field research

Question 77

According to the text,which research method is known to be both artificial in nature and subject to problems of reactivity?

A)laboratory experiment
B)survey research
C)secondary analysis of existing data
D)participant observation

Question 78

Margrit Eichler identified several limitations in traditional sociological research.Which of the following categories did these limitations relate to?

A)age
B)class
C)race
D)gender

Question 79

Sociologists David Karp and William Yoels became interested in why students do not participate in class discussions.They sent observers who sat in on various classes and recorded certain patterns of class activity but did not take part in the classes.What research method did this study use?

A)participant observation
B)case investigation
C)complete observation
D)qualitative research

Question 80

According to the text,how does field research compare to experiments and surveys?

A)Field research has greater reliability and greater validity.
B)Field research has greater reliability and less validity.
C)Field research has less reliability and greater validity.
D)Field research has less reliability and less validity.